‘I’m gay but still won’t come out as I’m scared of my football team and fans reaction’

Jake Daniels this week became the first active professional footballer in the UK to come out as gay since Justin Fashanu in 1990. At 17 years old he said the experience made him feel ‘free’ and ‘confident’. Unfortunately, this is not a view shared by some footballers and one man playing in grassroots level in West London has said coming out to his team would ‘terrify’ him.

Playing for a team in the Middlesex County Football League, he told MyLondon how scared he is about telling his teammates he is gay. After seeing news about Blackpool striker Daniels, he wanted people to understand that it’s ‘not that easy’. He said that no matter what league you play in being gay is hard in the world of football.

The midfielder said: “I wanted to reach out because I know just how hard it is for gay people to be a part of a football club. Around the lad banter and changing room name calling it’s not the environment you want to come out in.

“I respect Jake’s decision highly but I don’t know when, if ever, I’d be able to do the same thing. I’d be terrified of coming out and can understand why footballers don’t. The fans would crucify you, I've heard people being called awful names just for making a bad challenge.

"I will come out one day because I don't want players who are gay to struggle like I have. It’s as if I’m keeping a secret from my team but I feel like I fit in. I don’t think anyone expects a thing and I don’t want the atmosphere towards me to change.”

Worryingly, there has been an increase in homophobia and sexually oriented abuse both in the professional game and grassroots. Kick it out, who tackle racism and discrimination in football, reported that discrimination related to sexual orientation increased by 12 per cent from